In the Long Run

The internet is a wonderful tool. It’s so easy, so efficient, and seemingly so anonymously safe. In the past week I’ve shopped, banked, communicated, and even studied scriptures online. I’ve also sent an online birthday card, researched home improvement projects, and verified spelling and definitions of words.

There are other useful and productive things to do online. My son is an avid user of Craigslist, an online classified ads website. He has found home and baby furniture, an apartment, and a temporary job by browsing its listings.

This last week I heard a news story about a young woman who was found murdered in the trunk of her car. Apparently she had gone to meet a prospective employer after responding to a want ad for a babysitter on Craigslist. Police have arrested a 19-year-old man who may have submitted the false ad to which she responded.

I feel sad and sorry for this woman and her family. Surely she must have felt as I do, that the internet was a valuable tool. In fact, she had successfully used Craigslist to obtain employment before.

The story makes me feel uneasy and personally vulnerable, and I’m not exactly sure why. Maybe it’s an irrational and illogical fear that because my family member frequents that site, something bad could happen to him. Maybe it’s a disquieting knowledge that for every benefit of the internet, there is also an evil application. Maybe it’s because I know I will always have to be wary and careful when using the internet, even as I wish I could trust that it is safe and secure.

Posted by Cyppy at 9:15 PM